overlie

verb

over·​lie ˌō-vər-ˈlī How to pronounce overlie (audio)

transitive verb

1
: to lie over or upon
2
: to cause the death of by lying upon

Examples of overlie in a Sentence

the puzzle pieces overlay one another in complete disarray on the floor there will be freezing rain tonight, so we can expect to find a thick layer of ice overlying the car windshield in the morning
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sample collection lasted about three to four years just for Cretaceous rocks, while another four to five were spent on the overlying rock that shows when mammals lived at the site after the dinosaurs went extinct. Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 23 Oct. 2025 There is no overlying narration from witnesses or law experts. Ct Jones, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2025 Earth’s substantial atmosphere and geomagnetic field block most (but not all) of this bombardment, and the sunless interiors of worlds without these properties still get protection from overlying material. Emma R. Hasson, Scientific American, 17 Aug. 2025 This upward surge of water fractured the overlying ice sheet, creating new channels for the water to escape. Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for overlie

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of overlie was in the 13th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Overlie.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overlie. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

overlie

verb
over·​lie -ˈlī How to pronounce overlie (audio)
overlay -ˈlā How to pronounce overlie (audio) ; overlain -ˈlān How to pronounce overlie (audio) ; overlying -ˈlī-iŋ How to pronounce overlie (audio)
: to lie over or upon

Medical Definition

overlie

transitive verb
over·​lie ˌō-vər-ˈlī How to pronounce overlie (audio)
overlay -ˈlā How to pronounce overlie (audio) ; overlain -ˈlān How to pronounce overlie (audio) ; overlying -ˈlī-iŋ How to pronounce overlie (audio)
: to cause the death of by lying upon
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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